Thousands of Unclaimed Driver’s Licenses Pile Up in BCTA Amidst Public Apathy

…𝑳𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 2018, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒄𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒘. 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕, 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒔.

Sonam Deki

In a startling revelation, it has been reported that roughly 5,000 printed driver’s licenses are currently unclaimed in Thimphu alone. The inclusion of other dzongkhags suggests the possibility of an even higher number. Despite frequent complaints from the public regarding delayed issuance, it has emerged that the real issue lies in citizens failing to collect their licenses promptly.

Those unclaimed licenses have been printed since 2018 and the person has not turn up till date. Some of these licenses had already expired now.

Numerous individuals have voiced their frustration, pointing out the lack of awareness about the status of their licenses. One resident lamented, “Even when the licenses are printed, we often have no idea about it. When we don’t know whether it’s ready or not, how can we go and get it?”

One individual expressed, “We have other responsibilities, and continuously visiting the office to verify if the document is printed proves to be wastage of time. Although they claim that we will be notified, I have heard from others that such text messages are rarely sent. Given the demands of my job, it is arduous to remain in one location, making it impractical for me to personally collect the document, considering the severe time constraints we face.”

In response to these concerns, the Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority (BCTA) clarified their process. BCTA stated, “We send mass messages to all citizens registered for it as soon as the licenses are printed. However, a significant number of people frequently change their contact numbers, making it challenging for us to reach out to them effectively. Even during the form submission process, there is a specific section where individuals are required to notify the BCTA if there is any change in their contact information. They should provide the updated contact number so that we can promptly make the necessary adjustments and reach out to them. Unfortunately, a significant number of individuals overlook this crucial step.”

Ugyen Wangchuk, currently residing abroad, explained that in December of last year, he underwent a driving test. However, due to a shortage of cards, he was unable to obtain his driving license, prompting him to depart for Australia.
Thinley Dorji explained that he lost his license in 2021. Although he renewed it, he chose not to physically retrieve the license afterward because he found it more convenient to use the mRSTA app.

BCTA said, “One reason for them not turning out could be due to digital documentation. Some might question why we are printing hard copies when it can be used digitally, but we have to do so as they are paying for it, and that’s their right to get the licenses,” they added.